the power to prescribe general rules governing practice,
procedure and the conduct of the courts and the power to
prescribe rules governing the practice of law; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to its authority under section 10 of
Article V of the Constitution of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania
Supreme Court has exempted the courts from many provisions of
the Public Officers and Employees Ethics Act and has chosen
instead to establish its own rules; and
WHEREAS, The differences between the requirements imposed on
judicial officers and employees and those imposed on other
public officers and employees in the Commonwealth gives the
House of Representatives cause for concern; and
WHEREAS, Although the judges, justices and employees of the
Unified Judicial System file Statements of Financial Interests
on an annual basis, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has
effectively limited access to the Statements of Financial
Interests by ordering that, "All statements of financial
interest filed . . . shall be made available for public
inspection and copying during regular office hours"; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court's rules appear to be
less stringent as they relate to the reporting of the receipt of
gifts, transportation, lodging and hospitality, specifically
excluding "[G]ifts, loans, bequests, benefits, or other things
of value from friends, relatives, or other persons, including
lawyers, whose appearances or interest in a proceeding pending
or impending before the judge would in any event require
disqualification of the judge under Rule 2.11." and "ordinary
social hospitality" regardless of the aggregate value over the
course of the calendar year; and
WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that a
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